Test drive BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes C-Class: best enemies

With the new generation of the BMW Troika, the eternal duel enters another phase

Perhaps, instead of starting to analyze the limitations of the end result in this test, it makes much more sense to simply enjoy the moment and make the most of it: we have the privilege of comparing two mid-size sedans with one rear. transmission and pretty serious engines under the hood - this is a brand new BMW 330i, updated in the middle of last year Mercedes C 300. Dear readers, these two cars are really good! Here I would like to explain why I think so, before moving on to the traditional details of a comparison test. Nowadays, internal combustion engine cars are forced to survive in extremely adverse conditions - and this is completely undeserved. And at this moment, these two cars dare to be here, with all their technological sophistication, proving that cars as we know them are not worth living at all. Years of competitive competition over the years have allowed the Troika and the C-Class to achieve extremely high scores in every respect, forcing every passionate car enthusiast to test in every detail how good they really are to drive. We have to admit that at Mercedes, the joy of driving, especially in recent years, has also become an important factor. In general, it seems like it's time to discard the cliché.

In principle, the rear of the “troika” is a little more spacious than the C-class. However, the strange thing is that getting off the larger of the two cars is actually more difficult. BMW said the new model will be longer, wider and lighter. The first two things are a fact, but not the last: the 330i is actually heavier than its predecessor and 39kg heavier than the C 300 – is that bad for road dynamics? Maybe it would have been if the Munich engineers had not done so much. However, they put a lot of effort into making the optimal settings for the behavior of the chassis on the road - as a result, it is quite rigid and inferior in comfort to Mercedes. In fact, the comfort mode of the M-suspension corresponds to the sporty mode of the C 300. BMW prefers to reduce the impact of bumps rather than trying to completely absorb them.

While in the C 300 all systems are focused mainly on comfort, the whole essence of the 330i is centered on road dynamics, and this in particular applies to the M Sport version (from 93 leva), which has adjustable steering and large brake discs ... The test car also had a differential lock, the aforementioned adaptive suspension, and 700-inch wheels. As a matter of fact, the slight lack of comfort is probably due in part to the large wheels with low profile tires.

BMW comes alive at every turn

The 330i is extremely energetic on the road, whether the surface is good or not. Here, the connection between machine and person is almost intimate – perfect for people who want a sedan but are looking for coupe character: given its 4,71 meter length, the trio feels almost impossibly compact while driving. The exceptional cornering behavior is one of the finest examples of a finely tuned rear wheel drive car. Light flirting on the back rarely turns into a real rewind; with skillful handling of the accelerator pedal, the “troika” delivers incredible pleasure without being a “hooligan”. This car manages to tickle the most sensitive nerve endings of any sports car enthusiast, allowing the individual to be fast without much effort. On the other hand, fine-tuning allows for extremely precise driving in really critical situations, including when you have to resist the steering wheel. "Troika" perfectly challenges the sporting spirit of its leader, becoming a skilled sparring partner. When you drive this car through winding roads and succeed, you almost get the feeling that it will give you an approving pat on the back. Yes, if you look in the rearview mirror, it's not surprising if you find a happy smile.

However, Mercedes is not far behind. He's hot on the heels of the Bavarian, and if you want, he can serve his ass too; but only enough to reduce the turning radius. Impressively, in addition to the obvious benefits in terms of comfort, the air suspension is also characterized by good dynamics. Yes, driving here has not turned into a spectacle, but at a very high level. The C 300 stays neutral even when the 330i gets a little jittery at the rear, but it does feel a bit tighter, especially in terms of drive: Its four-cylinder engine doesn't have the harmonious acoustic design of a BMW two-liter, while a Mercedes automatic doesn't. at the level of his opponent.

Clean work

In the sprint from standstill to 100 km / h, the 330i has a slight advantage; However, the C 300 evens out the rating when accelerating to 200 km / h. On the highway, the Stuttgart model definitely feels at home. What about BMW? Super direct control is not always a plus here, as at high speeds, a little involuntary movement is enough to change the trajectory. For this reason, clean highway driving requires more concentration.

Perhaps, in this regard, it is advisable, if you are going to work with the infotainment system during the transition to the highway, using voice commands or buttons on the steering wheel. The voice command is activated by the line "Hello BMW", after which you now have a personal digital assistant. If you have an Internet connection, this feature is quite useful. The technocrats are equally impressed by the head-on demonstration of the Troika. Now the area of the projection field in the windshield is significantly increased and even part of the navigation map is displayed if necessary. Thus, the windshield becomes the third large screen, minimizing the chance of distracting your attention from the road.

There are still real buttons

And since we are talking about distracting the driver’s attention from the road: fortunately, the engineers did not succumb to the mass hysteria of widespread digitalization, the volume of the audio system and air conditioning are controlled by classic buttons - this applies to both the “troika” and the C-class, which, by the way, seems more similar. Which actually makes us happy, because the successor will have an A-Class-style ergonomic concept.

The next model will have to catch up with BMW in many ways, because the troika offers a concierge service via a call center, as well as a DVD player. In addition, the system in the car warns the driver so that he does not forget his smartphone in the charging bay. But the most important thing is different: despite its exceptional capabilities, iDrive is much simpler and more intuitive to operate than the command system in the C-Class. You can probably already feel how things are shaping up in BMW's favor. This trend is reinforced when fuel consumption is assessed: the 330i consumes 0,3 liters less fuel per 100 km and has lower CO2 emissions. The fact is that the fight becomes even more controversial when evaluating financial costs due to the fact that most of the dynamic potential of the 330i is due to some not-so-cheap options, and that the cost of its glasses.

However, in the end, Munich defeated Stuttgart - this is the result of the next release of the eternal duel of two, perhaps, the best cars in their class.

CONCLUSION

1 BMW

Equipped with a number of expensive options, the 330i is surprisingly dynamic and enjoyable to drive. However, the ride comfort could be better. The model wins this fight by a narrow margin.

2. Mercedes

Thanks to the optional Air Body Control air suspension, the C 300 rides very well and at the same time is quite maneuverable on the road. In terms of ergonomics and multimedia equipment it lags a little behind.

Text: Markus Peters

Photo: Ahim Hartmann